Having just attended the annual conference of the AOCSN (Association of Organizations for Christian Science Nursing) held in Scottsdale, AZ this year, I am filled with gratitude for the many resources supporting this ministry. There are two that I want to be sure you all know about. Both of these help patients to pay for their Christian Science nursing care—although they are distinctly different. The first resource was introduced recently, and is for patients who cannot pay the full cost of their Christian Science nursing care. The second resource is to help ensure that patients can have access to Christian Science care through their health plan(s).
The National Fund for Christian Science Nursing
The National Fund for Christian Science Nursing (NFCSN) is a benevolence fund for Christian Science nursing patients in the United States who cannot pay the full cost of their care. This fund was launched in mid-April 2017 and immediately began taking applications. Wherever a Christian Science nurse is needed, including in-home care and facilities, the NFCSN can help. This includes paying costs associated with Christian Science nursing facilities, private duty Christian Science nurses, nursing supplies and equipment, travel expenses, and related Christian Science practitioner invoices. These grants may not pay for all costs associated with care; however, they are a wonderful and needed additional source of benevolence for patients being supported by Christian Science nursing.
Here is a link to the NFCSN website. And another link to the NFCSN frequently asked questions. You can also read more about the NFCSN in an announcement in the May 8, 2017 Christian Science Sentinel or The Christian Science Journal, June 2017 edition.
The NFCSN has sent packets of information with brochures, postcards, and posters to all Christian Science churches and societies. So you may already have seen or heard of their wonderful work.
The Christian Science Provider Network
A much lesser known resource for Christian Science nursing is the Christian Science Provider Network (CSPN), which was launched as a pilot project several years ago by the Christian Science Board of Directors. The CSPN has now been turned over to an independent non-profit Board of Directors* who are responsible for oversight and funding of the Network. The CSPN was created to give patients access to Christian Science care through their health plan(s). CSPN helps Christian Science nursing facilities to become in-network providers for health plans that have a Christian Science benefit. And they also have rigorous credentialing of Network members, consistent billing for patient services, and electronic claims submission to health plans.
The CSPN has been especially helpful for Christian Science nursing organizations in:
- Conducting workshops and webinars on best practices,
- Producing a 10-module set of protocols that is uniquely written for Christian Science electronic claims submissions. These protocols are the key to unlock insurance reimbursement for patients in CS nursing facilities.
- And helping Christian Science nursing facilities with substantial reimbursements for patients that might never have been collected without the Network’s expertise and support.
Here is a link to the CSPN website.
Both of these resources serve unique purposes in helping to fund Christian Science nursing care. The NFCSN is the first national benevolence fund available for all avenues of Christian Science nursing. And the CSPN is the first provider network for Christian Science nursing facilities and the most professional organization to support reimbursement for Christian Science benefits. I encourage you to learn more about these wonderful resources through their websites—they welcome your questions and comments.
*Disclosure: Janiva Toler is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the CSPN.